Block making machine



Feb. 11, 1969 KENlTl YAMASITA ETAL BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Sheet I of 5 Filed March 31, 1966 mgLVENTOR; M

Feb. 11, 1969 KENlTl YAMASITA ETAL BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 31, 1966 Sheet 2 of5 INVENTORj a 'c BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 51, 1966 Sheet 3 of 5 NVENTORJ M G- Feb. 11 1969 KENITI YAMASITA ETAL 3,426,404

BL OCK MAKING MACHINE v Filed March 31, 1966 Sheet 4 of 5 Feb. 11, 1969 KENlTl YAMASITA ETAL 3,

BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Filed March 31, 1966 Sheet 5 of 5 I I I INVENTOR$Z United States Patent 3,426,404 BLOCK MAKING MACHINE Keniti Yamasita, 2080, 2-chome, Suwada-cho, and Zyozi Yamasita, 2026, 6-chome, Sugano-cho, both of RM- kawa-shi, Japan Filed Mar. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 539,015 Claims priority, application Japan, Mar. 31, 1965, 40/ 18,530, 40/ 18,531, 40/ 18,532 U.S. Cl. 25-41 7 Claims Int. Cl. B28b 1/08 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A block making machine comprising a support frame, a mold frame, and vibration absorbing means disposed on the support frame and supporting thereon the mold frame. A mold box means is disposed on the mold frame for receiving concrete therein. Vibrator means exclusively mounted on the mold frame vibrates the mold box means. A press device means exclusively mounted on the mold frame presses the concrete in the mold box means while the latter is being vibrated, the vibrations thereby substantially not being transmitted to the support frame.

The present invention relates to block making machines, in general, and to a block making machine for manufacture of concrete blocks, for use in the building construction and civil engineering industries, by solidifying concrete material within a mold through vibration of a vibrator forming a concrete block having a shape identical to the shape of the mold, in particular.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the mechanical construction of block making machines in which a frame having a mold provided with a vibrator and a press device to press the concrete within the mold is supported so that vibrations are not transmitted to the apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a block making machine which manufactures concrete blocks with high efficiency by reducing the time required by the use of a press device for pressing the concrete within the mold and vibration applied thereto.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a block making machine which directly transmits vibration of the vibrator to the concrete, without any effect on the apparatus, so as to achieve rapid solidification of the concrete, without generating noise from the apparatus, achieving a quiet operation although applied in a vibration system.

With the above and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation partly in section of one embodiment of the block making machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation wherein the mold frame is inverted;

FIG. 4 illustrates an oil circuit for inverting the mold frame;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a press frame and a block stop- P FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the block stop- P FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 7;

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FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical section of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 6, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention principally comprises a support frame including a rear frame 1 and a front frame 2. A beam 3 is respectively provided on both sides of the front frame 2 and an axle support 4 is respectively secured on each beam 3. Between the beams 3 and the axle support 4, a vibration absorbing material 5, such as rubber material or the like, is disposed. A mold frame 7 is provided having mold boxes 6 which have the shape of the block to be produced and is provided with an axle 8 on both sides thereof. Rotation can be effected on the axle support 4 through the axle 8. A motor 11 and vibrators 12 are provided on a surface 10 opposite to a surface 9 on which the mold boxes 6 of the mold frame 7 are disposed. The motor 11 generates vibrations through the vibrators 12; yet the vibrations are not transmitted to the front frame 2, but only to the mold frame 7, since the vibration absorbing material 5 is disposed between the beam 3 and the axle support 4.

Actuators 13 of the single acting type are provided on both sides of the mold frame 7.

Piston rods 14 face the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 and are moved ahead when fluid is supplied to the actuators 13. The front ends of the piston rods 14 are connected with the press frame 15. On the surface of the press frame 15, a press beam 17 is secured by intermediary absorbing materials 16 made of, for example, rubber or the like.

The press beam 17 occupies an opening of the mold boxes 6 of the mold frame 7 and provides pressure to the concrete previously placed in the mold boxes together with a pallet 18.

Filling of the concrete into the mold boxes 6 is achieved when the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 faces upwardly. For this positioning, chain wheels 19 and 19' are secured to the axles, and chains 20 and 20', respectively, are positioned on each chain wheel.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the chains 20 and 20 are placed on the wheels 19 and 19 in inverted position relative each other and one of the ends of the chains 20 and 20 is secured to the wheels.

The other end of each chain 20 and 20 is connected 'with the piston rods of single acting type actuators 21 and 21' provided on the rear frame 1.

Accordingly, if fluid is supplied to the actuator 21, on the other side, the piston moves rearwardly and the mold frame 7 will be rotated to one side with the chain wheel 19 pulled by the chain 20. Consequently, the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 faces upwardly.

In this connection, the chain 20 is wound up on the chain wheel 19' whereby the actuator 21 on the other side proceeds the piston.

On the other hand, if the supply of fluid is switched to the actuator 21, the piston will move rearwardly and the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 faces downwardly as the mold frame 7 is rotated, the chain wheel 19' pulled by the chain 20.

In this case, the piston of the actuator '21 will proceed ahead as the chain 20 is wound on the chain wheel 19.

The downward position of the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 is very convenient for removing the block from the mold boxes 6 of the mold frame 7 as hereinafter described.

The rotation of the mold frame 7 for the positioning of the surface 9, upwardly or downwardly, can be regulated constantly by arranging the backward position of the pistons of the actuators 21 and 21'.

In order to prevent collision with the rear frame 1,

3 the rotation of the mold frame 7 is achieved against the front side of the frame. The mold boxes 6 have a filling opening on the upper surface through which the concrete material is poured, being supplied from a box frame 22 removably disposed on the rear frame 1.

The box frame 22 is connected with the front end of a piston rod of a double acting type actuator 23 provided on the rear frame 1, and is positioned just under a hopper 24 of the rear frame 1 at the rearward position of the piston, whereat concrete material, filling the hopper 24, is received.

By supplying fluid to the actuator 23 so as to actuate the piston, the box frame 22 is moved forwardly by the piston and further, is moved over the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 from the rear frame 1 with the concrete and the concrete therein is discharged from the releasable lower part in accordance with the mold boxes 6.

Upon completion of the filling of the concrete material into the mold boxes 6 after discharge thereof, the supply of fluid to the actuator 23 is switched, and the piston moves rearwardly so that the box frame 22 moves to the original position and the pallet 18 is then laid on the filled concrete within the mold boxes 6.

Accordingly, the press device consisting of the piston rods 14, the press frame and the press beam 17 with the fluid pressure provides pressure to the concrete in the mold boxes 6 after the box frame 22 is moved rearwardly. Then, the vibration is initiated through the vibrators 12 by the use of the motor 11.

In such a condition in which the pressure and vibration operate on concrete, the fluid supply is switched to the actuator 21 upon solidification of the concrete, and then the mold frame 7 is rotated 180 so that the surface 9 faces downwardly. In this connection, the press device receives from the lower part of the concrete blocks formed in the mold boxes 6.

If the discharging side of the fluid in the actuators 13 is adjusted with the use of, for instance, a valve, etc., the press device may be lowered by the weight of the block.

In the case where the press device is not lowered, if the weight of the blocks is too low, the piston can be moved by supplying fluid to the actuator from an opposite side.

The respective actuators 13, 21, 21' and 23 are preferably operated by a hydromatic system, although not limited thereto. They can also be operated with a pneumatic system. But in this case, only the actuator 21 is operated with a hydromatic system even if the other actuators are operated with a pneumatic system, in order to prevent a sudden rotation of the mold frame 7 from being caused by air pressure due to the weight of the block, in the event the mold frame 7 with the formed concrete is rotated such that the surface thereof is turned to the downward position.

A reservoir 26 is provided between the actuator 21 and a direction switching valve 25 for filling the necessary amount of fluid oil to operate the actuator 21. Further, a restriction 27 and a check valve 28 are arranged in parallel between the reservoir 26 and the actuator 21. Accordingly, the rotation of the mold frame 7 under the weight of the block can be safely achieved since the piston of the actuator 21 causes the fluid oil to pass through the restriction 27 for returning the fluid oil to the reservoir 26 during a rotating operation of the mold frame 7 when the piston moves rearwardly by actuation of the actuator 21' with pneumatic pressure for moving the surface of the mold frame 7 to the downward position.

Further, a float control valve may be applied instead of the restriction 27.

Further, if an inversion of the mold frame 7 is desired after the discharging operation of the block, this can be achieved by causing the fluid oil in the reservoir 26 to flow into the actuator 21 through the check valve 28 with the use of the direction regulating valve 25.

In order to safely receive the block lowered by the press device, a plate 30 is combined with shock absorbers 29 made of, for instance, rubber or the like, in the bottom of the front frame 2.

On the plate 30, several receiving plates 31 having an upper edge are provided on a surface inclined to the rear end direction. On the respective inclined surfaces of the receiving plates 31, rollers 32 are secured.

Accordingly, by lowering the press beams 17 down to the space between the receiving plates 31, the blocks are transmitted to the receiving plates 31 and are further moved to the rearward position through the aid of the rollers 32 and the inclination of the upper edge on the receiving plates 31. Consequently, the blocks are carried by conveyor belt 33.

The carried blocks are not damaged since the pallet 18 covers the surface of the block contacting the plates 31. The mold frame 7 is then moved so that the surface 9 of the mold frame 7 which faces downwardly is moved so as to face upwardly after the blocks have been transferred to the conveyor belt 33.

In this embodiment the operation is achieved by crossing the rotating axis of the mold frame; however, other operative embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be used in which the mold frame moves along with the moving direction of the box frame 22.

Referring now again to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear frame has thereon the box frame 22 which moves forwardly from or rearwardly to a hopper 24, and the actuator is manipulated by the fluid pressure.

The beams 3 which make possible the rotation of the mold frame 7 are extended to the front ends from the rear ends of the front frame 2 and the axle supports 4 are provided engaging the absorbing materials 5. In this manner, axles 8 of the mold frame 7 are supported by the axle support 4 and are fixed to the frame opposite each other.

On the mold frame 7, a forming mold 35 is secured in which a vibration absorbing material 34, such as rubber or the like, is disposed. On the bottom surface of the forming mold 35, vibrators 12 are provided. The motor 11 which operates the vibrators 12 may be fixed to the apparatus via vibration absorbing material 36, while a pulley 37 is secured freely rotatably on the axis 8.

The rotation of the motor 11 is transmitted to the vibrators 12 by means of a belt positioned intermediate the pulley 37.

On both sides of the mold frame 7, the actuators 13 are provided, which are operated by the fluid pressure. The piston rods 14 position against the opening of the forming mold 35, while the front ends of the piston rods 14 are connected with the press frame 15. On the surface which faces the opening of the forming mold, the press beams 17 are fixed by absorbing materials 16.

The press beams 17 are inserted into an opening of the forming mold 35 so that the concrete to be formed can be pressed by the press beams through the pallet 18.

The formation of the block is, as in the previous embodiment, achieved by providing the vibration under pressure from the press device. The rotation of the mold frame 7 may, however, be manipulated manually. A mechanical manipulation can also be made available.

The embodiments of FIGS. 9 and 10 are for the case in which the mold frame 7 is not rotated.

On both sides of the front frame 2, the beams 3 are bridged and the mold frame 7 is secured on the beams 3 with the intermediary of the vibration absorbing materials 5.

The mold box 6 is provided on the mold frame 7 and has open upper and lower sides.

On the respective corners of the mold frame 7, single acting type actuators 38 and 39 are provided. The piston rods of the actuators 38 are positioned on a diagonal line relative to the mold frame 7 and are moved rearwardly to the lower part of the mold frame 7, while the front ends of the piston rods are connected with the frame 40 on which a bottom plate 41 is fixed so as to seal the lower opening of the mold box 6.

Further, other piston rods of the actuators 39 are positioned on the other side of the diagonal line and are moved to the upper part of the mold frame 7. The front ends of the piston rods are then connected with the frame 42 on which a press plate 43 is disposed for providing pressure to the forming material from the upper opening of the mold box 6.

In this connection, on both the upper and lower surfaces of the mold frame 7, the press device is provided comprising the press plate 43 to be operated by the actuators and movable bottom of the bottom plate 41.

Therefore, the vibrators 12 and the motor 11 for operating the vibrators are not fixed to the surfaces of the mold frame.

Accordingly, the vibrators 12 and motor are fitted to the side other than the above, for instance, the side part of the mold frame, or the like.

For manufacturing blocks by the block making machine of the present invention, at first the lower opening of the mold box 6 is sealed with the bottom plate 41 by operating actuators 38. Then, the concrete material fills the mold box 6 for pressing the concrete material by the actuators 39 through the press plate 43 mounted to the upper opening of the mold box 6, and at the same time, the vibrators 12 are operated for solidifying the concrete by transmitting vibrations to the frame 7. Since the mold frame 7 is supported with the vibration absorbing materials 5 against the beams 3 of the front frame 2, the vibration effect is not transmitted to the apparatus.

By lowering the bottom plate 41 downwardly via the actuators 38, the formed concrete will leave the bottom plate 41, and consequently the formed concrete which has been perfectly solidified, is obtained.

While we have disclosed several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are given by example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claims.

What we claim is:

1. A block making machine comprising a support frame,

a mold frame,

vibration absorbing means disposed on said support frame and supporting thereon said mold frame,

a mold box means disposed on said mold frame for receiving concrete therein,

vibrator means exclusively mounted on said mold frame for vibrating said mold box means, and

a press device means exclusively mounted on said mold frame for pressing the concrete in said mold box means while the latter is being vibrated, the vibrations thereby substantially not being transmitted to said support frame.

2. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said mold box means has a filling opening,

said press device means adapted to be moved into a mold box concrete pressing position at said filling opening, and a removed position away from said mold box means for permitting concrete to be poured into said mold box means in said filling opening, and

pneumatic actuator means mounted on said mold frame for actuating said press device means into said positions, respectively.

3. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said vibration absorbing means comprises,

a beam secured to said support frame,

a vibration absorbing material disposed on said beam,

an axle support disposed on said vibration absorbing material, and

an axle rotatably mounted in said axle support and supporting said mold frame rotatably relative to said support frame.

4. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 3,

further comprising fluid pressure means for rotating said mold frame relative to said support frame.

5. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said press device means further for lowering concrete blocks formed within said mold box means.

6. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 1,

wherein said mold box means has openings on its upper and lower sides,

said press device means for pressing the concrete in said mold box means through said upper opening, and

a movable bottom sealing said lower opening.

7. The block making machine, as set forth in claim 6,

further comprising means for moving said movable bottom upwardly and downwardly, respectively, by fluid pressure and for lowering concrete blocks formed in said mold box means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,493,732 5/1924 Camp 254l5 1,574,565 2/1926 Ferguson 254l5 1,873,412 8/1932 Jackson 25-415 1,993,930 3/1935 Holr 254l5 2,047,356 7/1936 Boyle 254l5 2,227,756 1/1941 Kirkham 254l5 2,235,440 3/1941 Mackert 25-415 2,526,198 11/1950 Clanton 254l5 2,542,584 2/1951 Sherman et al 254l5 2,583,597 1/1952 Ryner 25-415 3,277,551 10/1966 Hideo Sekiguchi 254l5 FOREIGN PATENTS 711,174 6/1965 Canada.

WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner. 

